Cleaning Up With Glycerin

Make your own soapHomemade soap is a great gift and snap to make if you have glycerin and a microwave. Here’s how: Cut the glycerin material, usually sold in blocks, into 2-inch (5-centimeter) cubes. Using a microwave set at half-power, zap several cubes in a glass container for 30 seconds at a time — checking and stirring as needed — until the glycerin melts. Add drops of color dye or scents at this point, if you wish. Pour the melted glycerin into soap or candy molds. If you don’t have any molds, fill the bottom 3/4 inch (2 centimeters) of a polystyrene cup. Let harden for 30 minutes.

Clean a freezer spillSpilled sticky foods that are frozen to the bottom of your freezer don’t have a chance against glycerin. Unstick the spill and wipe it clean with a rag dabbed with glycerin, a natural solvent.

Remove tar stainsDo you think it’s impossible to remove a tar or mustard stain? It’s not, if you use glycerin. Rub glycerin into the spot and leave it for about an hour. Then, with paper towels, gently remove the spot using a blot-and-lift motion. You may need to do this several times.

Make new liquid soapWondering what to do with those little leftover slivers of soap? Add a bit of glycerin and crush them together with some warm water. Pour the mixture into a pump bottle. You’ll have liquid soap on the cheap.